Fall 2015

ADVANCED POTTERY & CERAMIC PRODUCTION

Students in this class will learn to use a variety of ceramic production methods techniques including; molding, pressing, extruding, and giggering, to design and make small pottery editions. The focus is the design and perfection of the objects made and methods used. This class will also serve as a platform for inviting visiting artists to make small editions using our production facilities.Major requirement; Ceramic majorsRegistration by Ceramic department, course not available via web registration Available to nonmajors with department permission

CERAMIC SCULPTURE

The course explores an extensive range of sculptural possibilities for ceramics through the theme of sampling. Students transform found shapes, images or objects, borrow and mix cultural information and contemporary art. The emphasis is on experimentation and development of personal ideas. Designed for students at an advanced level, using clay as a primary material and involving a variety of processes and forming methods.Major requirement; Ceramic majorsRegistration by Ceramic department, course not available via web registrationAvailable to nonmajors as elective for 3 credits by petition and/or permission of department head

DRAWING TAKES FORM

Drawing is explored through ceramic techniques. This class serves to enhance the artist's perceptions relative to what drawing can become through the exploration of surface becoming form, and form mediated by surface. Drawing can be premeditation and drawing can be realization.

FIRST YEAR GRADUATE STUDIO CERAMICS

In the first semester, graduate students begin their investigation and produce clay works that allow the faculty to assess their approach and capabilities. Students are available and pursue active contact with the faculty. Students also attend supplemental department presentations.Graduate major requirement; Ceramics majors onlyRegistration by Ceramics department, not available via web registration

OBJECT AS IDEA IN CLAY

An exploration and development of personal ideas and vision with their materialization in clay. An introduction to the techniques of handbuilding focusing on clay as a sculptural medium.Major requirement for Ceramic majors, Non-majors on a space available basis

SECOND YR.GRAD STUDIO CERAMICS

Continued exploration begun during the first year leads to the presentation of a thesis project. Students work during class hours to ensure daily contact with faculty.Graduate major requirement; Ceramics majors onlyRegistration by Ceramics department, not available via web registration

SEMINAR: SOURCE PRESENTATION

This class helps you to develop the vocabulary of concepts relating your work to your sources. A number of exercises are undertaken culminating in a presentation of your ideas.Major requirement Non-majors on a space available basis Permission of department Required Registration by Ceramic department, course not available via web registration

SEMINAR: SOURCE PRESENTATION

This course helps the Ceramics graduate student develop a vocabulary of concepts concerning their works in clay. A slide presentation is made by each student concerning the relationship between an artist's resources, historical precedent and works in clay for class discussion.Graduate major requirement Non-majors on a space available basis Permission of department Required Registration by Ceramics department, not available via web registration

SENIOR TUTORIAL STUDIO

In the beginning of your fourth year you work independently with a ceramic faculty tutor to develop your individual degree project. Your project is expected to be a body of ceramic work that is unified in direction, significant in its degree of growth, innovative in its resolution, and personal in its expression.Major requirement; Ceramic majors onlyRegistration by Ceramic department, course not available via web registration

SLIPCAST CERAMIC OBJECT

In this class we will utilize an industrial approach and integrate it with a fine art sensibility. Students will learn how to make molds and prototypes; produce porcelain casting slip; strategies in casting; traditional and non-traditional surface applications. Course projects will focus on non-functional concepts, and a site-specific final project. Many tools are supplied, however,students are required to purchase a tool kit to supplement those already on hand. Major requirement

TOPIC IN CERAMIC MATERIAL SCIENCE:GRAD

A seminar exploring ceramic method and expression from technical perspectives. A study of raw materials including clay, clay bodies, and glaze calculation. The focus is the connection between technical development, and aesthetic expression. In-depth independent research required. A materials diary kept.Graduate major requirement Non-majors on a space available basis Permission of department Required Registration by Ceramics department, not available via web registration

TOPICS IN CERAMIC HISTORY

A seminar exploring idea, method, and expression as found in the history of ceramic art. The focus is the potential connection between historical awareness and the development of your own work. Independent research is required.Major requirement; Available to non-majors as an elective on a space available basis with permission of department.Registration by Ceramic department,course not available via web registration.

TOPICS IN CERAMIC HISTORY: GRADUATE

A seminar exploring ceramic method and expression from historical and contemporary perspectives. The focus is the connection between historical awareness, and aesthetic expression in the student's work. In-depth independent research required.Graduate major requirement Non-majors on a space available basis Permission of department Required Registration by Ceramics department, not available via web registration

TOPICS IN CERAMIC MATERIAL SCIENCE

A seminar exploring ceramic idea, method, and expression in ceramic art from the technical perspective. Raw materials, clay bodies, glazes and glaze calculation are studied. The potential connection between technical understanding and the fulfillment of your vision and aesthetic expression is examined. Independent research is required.Sophomore, major requirement; Available to non-majors as an elective on a space available basis with permission of department.Registration by Ceramic department,course not available via web registration.

Wintersession 2016

*JAPAN: CERAMICS AND CONTEPLATIVE PRACTICE IN JAPAN

This interdisciplinary studio-based course aims to deepen students' awareness and understanding of Japanese culture through a joint exploration of traditional ceramic techniques and contemplative practice while traveling and working in the Kansai region of Japan. Contemplative practices such as Zen meditation have influenced many uniquely Japanese cultural institutions, including tea ceremony and its ceramic wares, shodo and haiku. With an eye towards this relationship, this course will utilize daily meditation practice in tandem with a selection of related exercises as a complementary framework for studio investigations in clay. Engaging with such practices through both participatory and critical approaches, students will access a more integrated understanding of the culture in which they are immersed for the duration of the course. More broadly, they will develop an experiential awareness of the link between contemplative traditions and creative process. Weekdays will be comprised of demonstrations and active work time at Kurumaki Studio in rural Nara Prefecture, Japan, where students will develop an understanding of fundamental ceramic techniques using the exceptional local clays. In the final week of the course, students will participate in the collaborative process of firing the resulting pieces in the anagama kiln using traditional wood-firing methods. Weekends will offer opportunities for venturing further afield to visit significant historical, architectural and cultural sites, with scheduled travel to Nara, Osaka, Kyoto and Naoshima. Permission of instructor required. Registration begins in October at a time to be announced. Estimated Travel Cost: $4101.00, airfare not included. ***Off-campus Study***

POTTERY

Students explore the pottery making processes of throwing, jiggering, extruding, casting, and pressing. They test and experiment creating the ceramic surfaces from a variety of high temperature glaze and firing techniques. They establish and challenge the creative and expressive potentials of utility.

WRITTEN THESIS 2ND YR. GRADS

The purpose of this course is to prepare a written thesis. You will be required to develop an outline, bibliography, and first and second drafts. Completion and presentation will be during the following spring semester. This course is reserved for and required of Second-year MFA Ceramics majors. Schedule individually arranged with instructor.

Spring 2016

CLAY IN CONTEXT: SPECIAL PROJECT

In this class you will find a site, a venue, a place from which your investigations will spring. Working from the tradition and need of tableware; or architectural ornamentation; or public art, you will attach your personal expressive needs and vision to uses outside of the studio. Creative and inventive individual solutions arestressed. All ceramic techniques and processes appropriate may be used. Collaboration is encouraged. This is for advanced students.Major requirement; Ceramic majors for 6 creditsAvailable to nonmajors as elective, NMSE 4106, for 3 credits Department permission required

FIGURE MODELING

A posed model will serve as the visual base from which students will compose and articulate 3-dimensional form in clay. Class projects include a series of small standing figures, a portrait, and a series of larger figures or large fragments of figures. Students will learn to build armatures and use clay modeling tools effectively. Outside assignments include skull study, a hand study and drawings from figurative sculpture found in and around Providence. Strong emphasis is given both to whole sight and to abstraction of essentials - proportion, spatial relationship, and axial orientation. Sophomore, major requirement; Ceramic majors onlyRegistration by Ceramic department, course not available via web registrationAvailable to nonmajors as elective

FIRST YEAR GRADUATE STUDIO CERAMICS

The second semester is a development of the ideas and work begun in the first. Students are available and pursue active contact with the faculty. Students also attend supplemental department presentations.Graduate major requirement; Ceramics majors onlyRegistration by Ceramics department, not available via web registration

GRADUATE THESIS, CERAMICS

Continued exploration begun during the first year leads to the presentation of a thesis project. Students work during class hours to ensure daily contact with faculty.Graduate major requirement; Ceramics majors onlyRegistration by Ceramics department, not available via web registration

POTTERY

Students explore the pottery making processes of throwing, jiggering, extruding, casting, and pressing. They test and experiment creating the ceramic surfaces from a variety of high temperature glaze and firing techniques. They establish and challenge the creative and expressive potentials of utility.Major requirement, Ceramics majors only Registration by Ceramics department, course not available via web registration Nonmajors as elective with permission by department required

SENIOR THESIS

The second semester is a continuation of the senior degree project begun in the Fall. The work and ideas are further developed and refined for final presentation at the Woods-Gerry Gallery.Major requirement; Ceramic majors onlyRegistration by Ceramic department, course not available via web registration

TABLEWARE

From altering ready-made ceramic objects with your own digitally printed decals to learning how to make ceramic objects of your own design using basic wheel-throwing, hand-building and slip-casting techniques, we will explore tableware from formal to informal-historic to contemporary. This course is designed to introduce utilitarian ceramics as a medium to majors in other disciplines as well as challenge ceramics majors in their own medium. The course emphasis is hands-on projects using both traditional and non-traditional ceramic techniques. Additionally there will be assigned readings, lectures and independent research projects. Work is regularly reviewed in individual and group critiques. Elective for Ceramic majors Available to nonmajors with department permission required